Our Costa Rica Destinations

Since our beginnings in Peru, we’ve wanted to share our approach to responsible travel beyond its borders. Costa Rica has long been on our radar. It’s a popular destination, but too often visitors stick to the same routes, missing out on the country’s real spirit.

In 2024, Guido and Agnes, members of our founding team, set out with our local partners to explore Costa Rica more deeply. Together, we’ve identified authentic Costa Rica destinations, meaningful experiences, and sustainable places to stay, so our travelers can discover the country in a way that truly makes a difference.

The Central Valley is Costa Rica’s cultural heart. Beyond being home to San José, it’s a region of contrasts—bustling markets and museums on one side, peaceful coffee haciendas and mountain villages on the other.

Step outside the city, and the landscape changes into rolling coffee fields, cloud forests, and hidden valleys. Bajos del Toro, for example, holds some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the country—cascades tucked deep in the mountains where you can often have the trail to yourself. In Cartago and Turrialba, the heritage of old haciendas mixes with artisan cheese and dairy farms, while volcanoes and scenic drives open doors to adventure.

The Central Valley is often overlooked as just a place to land, but spend time here and you’ll uncover some of Costa Rica’s most authentic flavors, traditions, and natural wonders.

The Caribbean Coast feels like stepping into a whole different world within Costa Rica. Yes, the beaches and jungles are spectacular on their own, but it’s the culture that makes this region unforgettable. In Puerto Viejo, life beats to a Caribbean rhythm—laid-back, colorful, and full of flavor. Between jungle trails and ocean breezes, we discovered not just great food, but the stories and people behind it. Making chocolate with local families, sipping traditional drinks, and listening to Carleen share her recipes and tales in the region’s own “broken English” gave us a deeper sense of place.

Further inland, time with BriBri families opened a window into indigenous traditions and even unexpected connections to the Peruvian Andes. Heading north, we met Jurgen at Selva Bananito Lodge, whose passion for conservation could ignite anyone’s curiosity. And in the winding channels of Tortuguero, we uncovered an ecolodge that delivers some of Costa Rica’s most remarkable wildlife encounters—far from the crowds.

This is the Caribbean Coast we’ve come to know: rich, diverse, and alive with stories worth sharing.

When most people think of Costa Rica, they imagine sunshine, beaches, and tropical heat. But hidden in the highlands are the cloud forests—a completely different world. Here, mist weaves through ancient trees, the air is cool and crisp, and nights call for a cozy sweater. It’s a side of Costa Rica that feels almost magical.

For bird lovers, this is paradise. The forests echo with calls, wings flash through the mist, and everyone hopes to spot the Resplendent Quetzal. Nothing really prepares you for it—this bird, with its iridescent colors and flowing tail, feels like something out of a dream. No wonder it was considered sacred in ancient Mesoamerican cultures.

Beyond the forest trails, communities like Providencia de Dota welcome travelers with open arms. Here, you don’t just pass through—you take part. You might learn how to make homemade jams, meet artisans, or experience organic farming firsthand. It’s a chance to slow down, connect with people, and discover Costa Rica’s culture in one of its most beautiful settings.

There’s a reason why Costa Rica’s classic destinations became so popular—they’re stunning, and they’re still worth experiencing. But that doesn’t mean you have to follow the crowds. We’ve searched for ways to enjoy these iconic places responsibly, leaving a positive impact by supporting local communities and conservation projects along the way.

That might mean exploring the quieter trails of Río Celeste, staying at family-run cacao lodges, hiking along conservation paths with views of Arenal Volcano, or spotting wildlife by day and night in protected areas away from the masses. And for those seeking adventure, we know the lesser-visited spots where rafting, zip-lining, or canyoning still feel wild and authentic.

This is just a glimpse of what you can expect in La Fortuna, Monteverde, Sarapiquí, and beyond—well-known names, but with a different, more meaningful way to experience them.

The Northwest is a land of contrasts. Cooking classes, medicinal plant knowledge, and the centuries-old artistry of Chorotega pottery all reflect the region’s deep cultural roots. This is also cowboy country, where sabaneros still ride across open plains and marimba music drifts through village gatherings.

Nature plays its part too: mangroves teeming with birdlife, volcanic landscapes like Rincón de la Vieja with its hot springs and trails, and beaches where sea turtles return to nest year after year. Around Nosara and Sámara, the Pacific lifestyle shines—surfers, retirees, and locals blending into a community where sunsets mark the rhythm of the day. And for those seeking something truly different, glamping on a remote island offers nights under star-filled skies far from it all.

The Central Pacific Coast offers a wilder, slower take on beach life. Around Dominical and Uvita, the atmosphere is laid-back, with surfing at dawn, yoga retreats tucked in the jungle, and coastal villages where community and conservation go hand in hand.

This is also where one of Costa Rica’s most remarkable natural events takes place: twice a year, humpback whales migrate along these shores, and Marino Ballena National Park becomes the stage for an awe-inspiring display of tails, sprays, and leaps. Beyond the ocean, mangrove forests shelter crocodiles, monkeys, and countless bird species, while waterfalls cascade through the coastal hills just minutes from the sea.

It’s a region for travelers who want the best of Costa Rica’s Pacific, but with more space, authenticity, and connection to nature.

Known for its incredible biodiversity and pristine forests, the Southern Pacific and Osa Peninsula is where dense jungle meets the sea. Many travelers come here hoping to catch a glimpse of elusive wildlife—a tapir, a puma, or a scarlet macaw in flight. But beyond the photos, this region is also home to local communities and indigenous cultures who work tirelessly to protect their land and heritage.

Here, we go beyond the usual. We take alternative trails into Corcovado, snorkel among vibrant marine life around protected islands, and meet inspiring locals who are shaping the future of the region. Juan, for example, shares the traditions of artisanal gold mining, while Margarita, a Boruca indigenous leader, opens her home and her heart to tell stories of her fight to preserve indigenous culture—work that now inspires other communities across Latin America.